Distributed PostgreSQL: The Key to Always On Database Availability
How Distributed PostgreSQL achieves high availability, optimal performance and scalability in database management
The differences between the two systems lie in its architecture and capabilities
PostgreSQL stands as a robust relational database management system designed to handle complex data structures and queries with ease. It is designed primarily for single-node operation, and because of this, there’s a limitation to scalability and fault tolerance due to its reliance on the resources of a single machine. Organizations requiring high availability, scalability and distributed workloads need a purpose-built and designed distributed database solution, or Distributed PostgreSQL.
The core distinction between traditional PostgreSQL and Distributed PostgreSQL lies in its architecture. Where PostgreSQL operates on a single-node database server, Distributed PostgreSQL harnesses the power of multiple servers or nodes across various geographic regions to distribute data and workload.
While not all Distributed PostgreSQL systems are created equal, they share similar characteristics in the way they work. Distributed PostgreSQL partitions data across several instances, facilitating high availability through redundancy and enabling load balancing across nodes—the result is continuous operation even in the event of node failures. Furthermore, this distributed model inherently supports horizontal scaling, allowing for an increase in capacity by adding more nodes to the network. It grows with an organization’s data needs while maintaining PostgreSQL’s feature-rich capabilities.
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Here’s how a distributed database solution meets the data-intensive demands of enterprises
While there are differences in system tools offered depending on the vendor you choose to go with, a typical distributed database solution affords features and benefits that empower enterprises to optimize database performance, scalability and reliability.
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Horizontal Scalability
Organizations leveraging Distributed PostgreSQL can dynamically adjust their database capacity by adding or subtracting nodes based on current demand. This ability to scale horizontally ensures efficient use of resources and growth in line with organizational demands.
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High Availability and Fault Tolerance
Distributed PostgreSQL achieves high availability and fault tolerance with its advanced replication and data distribution techniques. By replicating data over several nodes within the cluster, it guarantees automatic failover and uninterrupted service, even during hardware malfunctions or network interruptions.
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Improved Performance
Distributed PostgreSQL improves query efficiency and minimizes latency by spreading data and workload across numerous nodes. This setup allows for the concurrent processing of queries, enhancing speed and performance for critical applications.
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Global Data Distribution
Distributed PostgreSQL enables the deployment of database clusters in multiple locations worldwide. This feature aids in adhering to regional data regulations, ensures data is localized, and boosts performance for user access globally.
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Centralized Management
Centralized management of clusters means that organizations benefit from straightforward deployment, configuration and ongoing cluster monitoring through centralized consoles and automated tools. This simplifies the administration of distributed databases.
This database solution safeguards operational continuity, resiliency, and business integrity
The cost of unscheduled database downtime is no laughing matter. Financial losses can run up to more than $1 million, and service interruptions lead to productivity disruptions lasting up to 48 hours. That’s not all—unplanned database downtime can also result in regulatory penalties, lost competitive advantage, customer dissatisfaction and reputational damage.
This emphasizes the importance of a robust solution with a distributed workload structure across different servers in various geographical locations to align with data regulatory requirements. This advanced solution works to maintain database resilience and operational continuity in the event of unexpected disruptions such as cyberattacks. Your organization’s data remains accessible so there’s no productivity and financial loss and you can continue to meet customer expectations for uninterrupted service.
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A distributed database solution’s architecture is built to optimize performance and scalability
When choosing a distributed database solution for your organization, look for one with the following architecture and best-in-class tools:
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Group Structure
Every node is part of one or more node groups. The foundational structure consists of the entire cluster forming a single node group.
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Multiple Masters
Each node or database within the group can interact with changes from other nodes and accept direct user inputs, unlike the hot or warm standby models where only one server is writable. A frequent setup channels most writes to a designated master, known as the write leader.
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Asynchronous Replication
It operates on an asynchronous replication model, where changes on one node are replicated to others only after they’re committed locally, leading to temporary data discrepancies across nodes. Given its multi-master architecture, this results in various data streams.
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Mesh Topology Simplified
It utilizes a mesh network architecture, enabling direct data exchange between all nodes without the need for forwarding, except during node additions or removals. External data can be integrated into the cluster or further distributed through PostgreSQL’s logical replication.
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Logical Replication
Logical replication focuses on replicating data row changes based on their unique identifiers, avoiding the bandwidth and write amplification issues associated with physical replication’s byte-by-byte approach. This method begins with copying a data snapshot from the source, followed by real-time commits to other nodes, ensuring transactional consistency and rapid, accurate replication without re-executing SQL commands.
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Connection Management
Connection management employs a consensus-based quorum system to identify the appropriate connection endpoint, minimizing the risk of accidental writes to multiple nodes and thus reducing data conflict chances. The designated endpoint for writes, known as the write leader, is facilitated by a tool for managing application connections.
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High Availability
High availability is ensured as each master node is backed by one or more logical standby nodes.This allows for seamless replacement and continuation of operations if a node fails, with physical standbys not supported. The system also supports uninterrupted replication amid node unavailability and facilitates rolling upgrades across differing software versions, using protocol negotiation and default DDL replication across nodes, which can also be user-managed for application upgrades.
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EDB Postgres Distributed’s features and capabilities are engineered to meet your organization’s exacting demands
When you make the switch to a distributed database system such as EDB Postgres Distributed (PGD), you bid farewell to the limitations of legacy systems. EDB PGD’s powerful features and capabilities will enhance your organization’s operational stability and boost developer efficiency by maintaining continuous availability of critical applications for engagement and revenue generation.
These are the ways in which EDB PGD ensures an Always On status:
Run Upgrades and Maintenance Without Disruptions
EDB PGD is the only solution that can facilitate online major version upgrades and routine maintenance with minimal impact on application performance. This is achieved through multi-master replication that ensures continuous operation and data consistency.
Keep Critical Apps Running in Outages
EDB PGD’s architecture is engineered with multi-master replication, which safeguards mission-critical applications against unplanned infrastructure and database outages. Your essential services remain operational, no matter the circumstances.
Spread Workloads Geographically
EDB PGD optimizes data accessibility and minimizes latency by distributing workloads across geographic locations. This is crucial for adhering to data localization laws and enhancing cybersecurity measures.
Automate Failover Across Sites and Regions
With its flexible and high-resiliency architecture, EDB PGD automates failover processes across different sites and regions, minimizing switch-over times to near zero.
Deploy on any Environment
EDB PGD offers unparalleled deployment flexibility across cloud, on-premises, or hybrid environments. It supports cross-version compatibility with major software releases of operating systems, PostgreSQL and EDB PGD itself.
Operate Active-Active Architecture
As the pioneer in providing Active-Active replication for hybrid environments, EDB PGD empowers businesses to scale seamlessly by using the same PostgreSQL setup across all locations.
By combining the trusted foundation of PostgreSQL with enhanced capabilities for scalability, availability and performance, EDB PGD delivers the technology and support necessary to meet your complex data management needs.
Access Our Resources on EDB Postgres Distributed
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Distributed PostgreSQL refers to the configuration of a PostgreSQL database that spans multiple nodes or servers, enabling the distribution of data across several locations for improved performance, fault tolerance and scalability. This setup allows for high availability and load balancing across a distributed system.
PostgreSQL is not inherently a distributed database; it is an open-source object-relational database system designed for single-node operations. However, it can be extended to function as a distributed database with specialty tools.
PostgreSQL supports clustering through extensions and third-party tools, allowing databases to scale out and enhance performance and reliability across multiple servers.
PostgreSQL effectively handles concurrency using Multi-Version Concurrency Control, providing each user with a snapshot of the database. This allows for simultaneous transactions without locking and ensures data integrity.
EDB Postgres Distributed is an advanced solution that extends the capabilities of PostgreSQL to support distributed database systems. It enables the setup of high availability, scalability and distributed data management across multiple nodes or servers.
High availability in Distributed PostgreSQL is typically achieved through replication and failover strategies. Data is replicated across multiple nodes, ensuring that if one node fails, another can take over without interrupting the database service. This setup minimizes downtime and maximizes access to data.
Distributed PostgreSQL supports both logical and physical replication. Logical replication allows for selective data replication at the row level based on replication identities, such as primary keys. Physical replication copies the entire database cluster from one node to another at the binary level, providing an exact copy of the data.
Yes, Distributed PostgreSQL environments can support rolling upgrades, allowing you to update the database software on different nodes sequentially without significant downtime. These upgrades require careful planning and might involve tools or scripts to manage version compatibility and data consistency across nodes.
Data consistency is maintained using transactional controls, replication mechanisms and conflict resolution strategies. Consistent reads and writes are ensured by employing synchronous or asynchronous replication, depending on the requirements for data accuracy versus performance.
Deploying and managing a Distributed PostgreSQL system introduces complexities such as configuring replication, ensuring consistent data across nodes, managing node failures and optimizing query performance across distributed data. Proper planning, monitoring and management strategies are crucial to address these challenges effectively.
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